“Henry, you’re allowing me to stay into your home. It’s the least I can do.”
You can tell that was the perfect thing to say in my dad’s eyes. He gives him a grateful smile and a nod.
“We’ve loved having you. We’re sad to see you guys go. You’re welcome back anytime, we mean that too.”
Nico swallows roughly, like his words mean more than my dad could know.
“I really appreciate that and will be taking you up on that. You all are welcome to Boston anytime. You name the day and I’ll make the arrangements.”
“When are you leaving again?” I ask.
He looks over to me, his expressions generally neutral.
“Tomorrow evening. I have to get back for a board meeting and I’ve extended myself away from the office for as long as I can for now.”
“Well, we appreciate you wanting to spend time with us with so little time left in Seattle,” my mom says.
Nico nods and smiles at her before cutting me a quick look.
“It’s time well spent.”
Chapter Sixteen
Nico
Was it ridiculous of me to rent a car the last full day that I would be in Seattle? Yeah. Is it worth it so that I could drive to Cassi’s work to pick her up and spend an extra twenty minutes of alone time with her? Fuck yeah it is.
When I stroll into the dentist office, my eyes scan the waiting room. It’s clean, organized, though a little outdated with some soft jazz music playing through the speakers in the corners. The front desk is empty as I stroll up to it.
A perky blonde is walking down the hall behind the desk looking down at her phone when her eyes catch me and she pauses. A slow smile spreads across her face as she tilts her head to the side.
“Well, hi there. Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Cassi,” I say.
Her eyebrows lift in surprise. “Wait, are you the hickey man?”
My pleasant expression vanishes in an instant, my voice curt.
“No.”
She takes instant notice to the shift in my demeanor and nods.
“I’ll go grab her.”
Not five seconds later, Cassi steps out from the back, her wildred hair tamed by a bun. I want nothing more than to let it out and bury my fingers into it, though. Suprises passes across her face as she rounds the desk and comes to me.
“Hey, is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I nod. “I figured I’d drive you to the tour.”
She cocks her head to the side in confusion.
“Why? I drove to work?”
“And now I’m driving us to the tour,” I say simply.
“What am I going to do about my car?” she counters.
